SLO County Weekly Fishing Report — February 28, 2026
Saturdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121105 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Whale Rock Reservoir
GoodLargemouth on swim jigs within 15 ft of shore
Lake Nacimiento
Good774.4 ft65% capacity
White bass excellent; spotted bass on rocky points and flats
San Antonio Lake
Fair753.1 ft63% capacity
Catfish good; trout slow, bass on deep pattern
Tides for the day
| 1:07 AM low | 2.2 ft |
|---|---|
| 7:09 AM high | 5.8 ft |
| 2:25 PM low | -1.2 ft |
| 8:58 PM high | 4.0 ft |
- range
- 7.0 ft
- minus tide
- -1.2 ft
- sunrise
- 6:34 AM
- sunset
- 5:57 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Whale Rock | Santa Margarita | Nacimiento | San Antonio | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | excellentlargemouth | fair | excellentwhite · spotted | noted | not reported |
| Catfish | not reported | not reported | noted | good | not reported |
| Trout | not reported | not reported | not reported | slow | not reported |
| Rockfish | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported | slow |
| Lingcod | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported | slow |
By water
from the report- Conditions Partly cloudy (February 27)
- Largemouth Bass excellent Up from a steady bite on February 26. Try a black/blue swim jig with a paddle tail trailer within 15 feet of shore.
- Ned Rig
- Swing Head
- Texas-rigged stick bait in natural colors
- Best Time 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Full report2 min read ›
Reports from February 26 to 28, 2026. Bass moved toward pre-spawn this week, and at Whale Rock they were already close to shore. The ocean stays closed to boat groundfish until April 1.
Lake Fishing Reports
Whale Rock Reservoir
- Conditions: Partly cloudy (February 27)
- Largemouth Bass: Hot. Up from a steady bite on February 26. Try a black/blue swim jig with a paddle tail trailer within 15 feet of shore.
- Best Time: 9:00 - 11:00 AM
- Presentation: Ned Rig, Swing Head, Texas-rigged stick bait in natural colors
Santa Margarita Lake
- Water: Slightly stained after the recent storms
- Bass: Improving. Picking up as the water warms. Try swim jigs with paddle tail trailers.
- Tip: Fish are moving into pre-spawn, so try the shallows near shore.
Lake Nacimiento
White bass and spotted bass were both biting well in clear water. No new report since February 27.
- Level: 774.4 ft, 246,800 AF (65% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Feb 26.
- Bass: Excellent. Drop shots and ned rigs with finesse plastic worms and small jigs in brown, purple and baitfish colors (February 26).
- White Bass: Excellent. Try spoons and spinners near shad schools.
- Spotted Bass: Active on rocky points and flats, eating moving baits. Bladed jigs and small plastics.
- Catfish: Active. Try chicken livers and shrimp, early morning or evening. Carp also have big potential.
- Tip: Give a bite on a jig time before you set the hook.
San Antonio Lake
No new report since February 27.
- Level: 753.1 ft, 208,100 AF (63% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Feb 27.
- Trout: Slow. Try chartreuse or rainbow PowerBait.
- Catfish: Good. Try cove backs and inlet areas with garlic shrimp or chicken liver.
- Bass: Deep winter pattern; occasional catches on deep-diving crankbaits and jigs in 15-25 feet.
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay
Boat-based fishing for rockfish, lingcod and other groundfish is closed off Morro Bay until April 1 (CDFW). Shore anglers are exempt and can still fish the rocks and jetties.
- Rockfish: Closed. Boat season opens April 1 (CDFW), vermilion, copper, red rockfish and bocaccio included.
- Lingcod: Closed. Boat season opens April 1 (CDFW).
- Ocean Whitefish: Consistent action (February 26 report).
NWS marine forecast:
- Today: NW 10-20 kt, gusts 25, seas 3-4 ft
A small craft advisory is in effect Thursday afternoon through Thursday night.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 224 AM PST Thu Feb 26 2026.
How the week went
On February 26, Nacimiento bass were excellent on drop shots and ned rigs, and Whale Rock largemouth were steady on finesse rigs. On February 27, Whale Rock largemouth were rated hot on swim jigs near shore, and Nacimiento white bass were excellent. On February 28, Whale Rock stayed hot and Santa Margarita bass moved into the shallows for pre-spawn; Nacimiento and San Antonio had no new report.